How often does someone tell you exactly what they are thinking and doing? If you are like most people, more often than not, you gather information through observation. These indirect social cues are commonplace in society and when used in literature, work to create a realistic character. As Faulkner’s short story is told from the perspective of the town, it is an excellent example of this type of characterization to introduce, follow, and connect with a character like Miss Emily. William Faulkner's “A Rose for Emily” constructs Miss Emily’s character using indirect characterization in order to create suspense and mystery around her mental state and actions. Through the course of the short story, indirect characterization is used to show many facets of Miss Emily, but most specifically her actions and mental state. For example, the narrator …show more content…
She told them that her father was not dead” (Section II). Even though the narrator and town do not take her seriously, the lack of reaction begins to hint towards the possibility of mental instability in Emily, creating suspense. These small instances in the story provide insight to Emily’s mind without directly stating specific facts; creating more mystery that continues to build until the end. The indirect format that the story is written in makes the storytelling more realistic. Emily is a complex character; she is not truly understood by the town, reader, or by anyone but herself. In the finale to the drama created by Faulkner, the narrator